The MPhil/PhD programme has been a key element in the life of the Department for many years. We place the highest priority on the field research of our postgraduate students and on their professional development. (For a list of PhD students and past dissertations in the Department, see Current Research Students|). The programme has a strongly international character, with students from a range of cultural and academic backgrounds.

(Please note that Home/EU students who are eligible for admission to the MPhil/PhD programme and who intend to apply to the ESRC for a studentship will normally be admitted to the MSc Social Anthropology (Research) - usually referred to as the 1+3 award - programme if they are offered a place. This is to satisfy the requirements of the ESRC about methodological training during the first year of a research degree programme. Nevertheless, all applicants wishing to study for the PhD should apply only for the MPhil/PhD programme. Registration for the MSc Social Anthropology (Research) does not affect any of the coursework requirements for the MPhil/PhD, and will not change the length of time necessary for the completion of the PhD. Further guidance about the MSc Social Anthropology (Research) and any further issues raised by it will be dealt with as and when they arise for individual students after their applications for MPhil/PhD have been received.)

Admissions requirements

We are especially interested in receiving applications for research in topic areas which reflect the interests and expertise of our members of staff. (For a list of our departmental research interests, see Departmental staff|.)

In order to be considered for direct admission to the MPhil/PhD programme, you must have gained at least an upper second class honours degree in social anthropology from a British university, or you must have completed an MA or MSc in social anthropology at a British university with a mark of Merit or Distinction. If you do not have these qualifications, you will be asked to register for one of our MSc programmes first, with specific additional conditions for students on the MSc Anthropology and Development, the MSc Law, Anthropology and Society and the MSc China in Comparative Perspective. Details of these conditions can be found here|.

While studying for the MSc, you may apply for admission to the MPhil/PhD programme in the following year, although satisfactory completion of the MSc (a mark of Merit or Distinction standard in the examination) is required before an offer of admission to MPhil/PhD can be confirmed.

However, if you will be supported by a scholarship which can be held only for a research degree and not for the MSc degree, you should write directly to the Department's Graduate Selectors to discuss the problem in relation to your individual circumstances.

Each year we receive queries from overseas students with considerable experience of anthropology who wish to be admitted directly onto the MPhil/PhD programme. Please note, however, that UK PhD programmes are normally very different in structure from those in the US and elsewhere - and in most cases they are significantly shorter in duration. Unlike comparable US doctoral programmes in anthropology, ours does not start with a significant coursework component (typically known in the US as the "qualifying year"), but instead immediately focuses on research preparation. Taking an MSc programme before you begin this preparation for fieldwork will:

help to ensure that you have a reasonably solid grounding in the basic principles of social anthropology before your fieldwork; and
give you time, while in residence in our Department, to clarify your ideas about the research you intend to carry out.

For guidance on completing your research statement for your application, please click here| (pdf).

Funding opportunities and application deadlines

Although PhD applications are considered on a rolling basis, please be aware that some funding deadlines are very early. If you wish to be considered for all PhD funding opportunities, including ESRC and LSE Scholarships, please ensure that your application has been submitted (and is complete, including all references and transcripts) by 10 January 2012.

For full details of all funding opportunities, please visit the LSE's Financial Support Office| (FSO) webpages.

AHRC Awards: Anthropology students will be considered for awards under the AHRC's Block Grant Partnership with the LSE for 2012 entrants. If you wish to be put forward for nomination, you should make reference to this both in your personal statement when applying for admission, and in any discussions you have with the department. If you are selected for nomination, you will be given more information about this process.

ESRC Awards: Full information can be seen on the FSO's ESRC webpages|.

LSE PhD Scholarships: For 2012 entry, the School is offering a number of full scholarships for new PhD students. The scholarships cover fees and living expenses each year for three years. They are available for Home UK/EU or Overseas students undertaking full time research in any LSE discipline, with annual renewal subject to satisfactory academic performance at the School. Scholarships will be awarded on academic merit and research potential. There is no separate application form for these awards - if your application is submitted, and includes all transcripts and references, by the Departmental deadline of 10 January 2012 you will automatically be considered.

LSE Research Studentship Scheme: All MSc (Res) or MPhil/PhD students who receive an offer of admission by 31 May 2012 will be automatically invited to apply to the LSE Research Studentship scheme; the application form will be made available to you on Graduate Admissions' web tracking system. Current students are also eligible to apply and will be sent the application form by their academic department. This form must be returned with an academic reference no later than 8 June 2012; decisions are based on ability and financial need.

In addition to this the Department and School offer:

Language Training Funds: Up to £750 available to all first year students, regardless of their funding. These funds can only be claimed in the MPhil/MSc Research year of study.
Continuation Fees: While students are doing their fieldwork, they are formally registered as being on an approved Leave of Absence. Annual fees during Leave of Absence are set at a continuation rate of £552 (for 2011/12) rather than the full amount, reverting to the year 2 and 3 fee rates on return from the field. This applies to all students unless they opt to pay the year 2 (and year 3 if applicable) rates while in the field, in which case continuation fees are charged from year 4.
Postgraduate Travel Fund: This is open to PhD students who have been invited to give a paper at the conference related to their research degree.
Hardship Funds: All students have access to the LSE's Hardship Fund, but a certain amount is ring-fenced for PhD students who have a change in financial circumstances. Preference is given to students who are writing up.
There are some Departmental Funds which can be applied to on an annual basis.

In addition to these, there are opportunities for funding outside of the School which we encourage all students to research as additional funding options.

Pre-fieldwork training and fieldwork

The first year of the programme focuses on research preparation and methodological training. (As noted above, some Home/EU students will be registered as MSc Social Anthropology (Research) students during this year.)

Students will take courses and seminars based in the Department of Anthropology. Depending on their qualifications and background, students will also be asked to take additional general coursework in social anthropology by attending a lecture course in, for example, Kinship or Religion. Throughout the pre-fieldwork year, the main work of students will be to prepare - in close consultation with their supervisors - a formal research proposal (of 10,000 words). These are formally examined by the Department. Students are normally upgraded from MPhil to PhD registration if their proposals have been approved, and if they have achieved the required marks on their methodology coursework. They are then allowed to proceed to fieldwork. Students registered for the MSc (Research) will be upgraded in the same way.

During fieldwork - depending on the practicalities of communication - students are expected to maintain close contact with their supervisors about the progress of their work. Most of our students carry out fieldwork of approximately 18 months duration.

Post-fieldwork

After fieldwork, doctoral candidates begin writing their PhD dissertations under the close supervision of members of staff. During this period of their studies, they attend weekly thesis-writing seminars, and fortnightly seminars on recent developments in anthropology as well as departmental seminars on anthropological theory. Most students are able to complete their dissertations one or two years after their fieldwork has ended.

Please click for the home page of the online Graduate Prospectus|, which contains further information and details on application to the programme. Follow this link for the prospectus page about the MPhil/PhD Anthropology|.

If you have questions beyond those addressed in the Graduate Prospectus, please check the Department's FAQ| page before contacting the Department.